Hacker and Dark Market operator arraigned on federal charges

ATLANTA - Daniel Kaye was arraigned on charges related to access device fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Kaye is charged with operating The Real Deal, a Dark Web marketplace that sells hacking tools and stolen login credentials. He also allegedly laundered funds he received from this market.

U.S. attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated that the defendant, who was living abroad, allegedly ran an illegal website that sold hacking tools and login passwords, including those for U.S. government agency agencies. "This case serves as a timely reminder that anyone accused of violating U.S. laws will be brought before a federal courtroom, no matter where they are located in the world, during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month."

Keri Farley Special Agent in Charge at FBI Atlanta stated that "This case is an example our persistent determination to collaborate with our international partners and hold criminals accountable no mater how sophisticated their cyberfraud or their geographical location,". Let this indictment show that the FBI and its partners are committed to pursuing criminal prosecutions of hackers who attempt to intrude on our infrastructure and pose a threat to the personal security and safety of our citizens.

U.S. attorney Buchanan stated that Kaye was accused of operating The Real Deal, an illicit online marketplace for illicit goods. He also claimed to have stolen login credentials for U.S. government computer systems, stolen login credentials for bank accounts and social media accounts, stolen credit card information, stolen personally identifiable information, illegal drugs, botnets, and computer hacking tools. The market was divided into several categories such as Exploit Code' Counterfeits' Drugs' & More' & ’Fraud & More' & 'Government Data' & 'Weapons'. Vendors could create an account and list their products on the market. The market allowed vendors to create profiles and offer a rating system that allows buyers to rank vendors.

The indictment claims that Kaye sold U.S. government computers to The Real Deal login credentials. The U.S. Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are all named in the indictment. Indictment also alleges Kaye and an individual or individuals known as "thedarkoverlord" trafficked in stolen social insurance numbers. Kaye was also accused of possessing 15 to 20 stolen login credentials for Twitter, LinkedIn, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The indictment also alleges that Kaye laundered Bitcoin he received from The Real Deal via Bitmixer.io. This website offered Bitcoin'mixing’ services and, through its "mixing" algorithm, sought to keep its users anonymous and private and to prevent Bitcoin blockchain tracing analysis.

A federal grand jury indicted Kaye on five counts of fraud in access devices for unauthorised solicitation. SS 1029(a),(6), one count for using and trafficking unauthorized access devices in violation of 18 U.S.C. SS 1029 (a)(2), two counts each of possessing unauthorized or counterfeit access devices in violation of 18 U.S.C. SS 1029 (a)(3) and one count each of money laundering conspiracy in violation of 18 U.S.C. SS 1956(h). Kaye was in the United States when the indictment was filed. He consented in September 2022 to being extradited from Cyprus to the United States.

Daniel Kaye, also known by Popopret', Bestbuy', TheRealDeal',?Logger',?David Cohen', 'Marcchapon', ’UserL0ser', & 'Spdrman', — 'Dlinchkravitz', 'Fora Ward', and allegedly 'Ibrahim Sahil' 34, was arraigned before U. The indictment does not contain any charges. The defendant is presumed innocent and the burden will fall on the government to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt during trial.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case. This investigation was also assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs and the Cyprus Ministry of Justice and Public Order.

The case is being prosecuted by Samir Kaushal, Assistant U.S. attorney.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Cybercriminals continue to exploit people's identity, financial security, and personal safety online. The Office for Victims of Crime Training & Technical Assistance Center provides many resources that will help victims of cybercrime be better served by victim service providers. Visit their website for more information:

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Contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office for more information

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Call (404) 581-6016. The Internet address of the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Georgia can be found here

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